Maura D. Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, of MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, will discuss the nonsurgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), epidemiology, and common symptoms associated with this condition during the ARHP rheumatology audioconference on Wednesday, May 21, from noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST). Iversen will provide a summary of nonpharmacologic and nonsurgical interventions to manage LSS—including a summary and evaluation of manual therapy techniques and exercise.
FDA Enforcement Against Injectable Colchicine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered companies to stop marketing unapproved drug products that contain colchicines in an injectable dosage form.
Working With Your National Provider Number
Beginning May 23, 2008, all practicing physicians who treat Medicare patients must start billing with a working national provider identifier (NPI). Physician and non-physician providers can make any corrections or changes pertaining to their NPIs by contacting the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES)…
Exercise and Arthritis
Arthritis is consistently used as a reason why people limit exercise. However, physically active individuals with arthritis are healthier, happier, and live longer than those who are inactive and unfit.
New Investigators Struggle to Find the Path to Independence
While practicing rheumatologists face budgetary cuts in Medicare reimbursement, new investigators are facing a challenge of their own. Federal budget cuts and other vanishing funding sources are making it extremely difficult to support their research activities. “Over the past several years, sources of funding for these individuals have become increasingly restricted, with the Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Investigator award no longer available and the mentored Career Development Awards (K08 and K23) from the NIH affected by the federal budgetary constraints,” remarks ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) President Leslie Crofford, MD.
Coding Corner Question: May 2008
May’s Coding Challenge
Coding Corner Answer: May 2008
May’s Coding Answer
American College of Rheumatology (ACR) on Capitol Hill
“By tomorrow night, there will be so many more people on Capitol Hill who know—and are sensitive to—rheumatology and the issues that impact you and your patients. There is no substitute for what you are doing,” says Martha M. Kendrick, a partner at Patton Boggs, LLP, the ACR’s lobbying firm. This is what she told the physician, health professional, and patient participants of the ACR’s 2008 “Advocates for Arthritis” advocacy event—termed a fly-in—before they took their personal stories to the lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
To Document or to Doctor? That Is the Question
Is paper pushing taking away from patient care?
Rheum and Race: Where Are We?
It is time to examine the role of race in the care we provide
Stop the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Cascade Early
Early arthritis clinics pioneered diagnosis and treatment to prevent disease progression
Are You Informed About Informed Consent?
Physicians walk a fine line between informed consent and patient trust
Exercises to Improve Outcomes in Knee Osteroarthritis
An exercise program can improve functionality and quality of life